**Note: Due to some misunderstanding during the regular 2000 legislative
session on the Veterans' Pension Tax Exemption and the smokeless tobacco
tax as being offsetting and therefor "revenue neutral", it has become
necessary to add this note.
Any tax cuts which would serve to offset a proposed tax increase
must be assured of passage in both houses prior to any tax increase.
This was not the case with the "proposed" Veterans' Pension Tax Exemption
Amendment. This credit was dependent upon the vote of the people, and
was not assured. These games are too commonly played in the House and
Senate in West Virginia.
The tobacco tax issue as a means of controlling it's use may be a
lofty goal. Yet, it is assumed that this tax will fund ongoing programs.
This is contradictory. I have asked the health officials and others to offset this new tax with an equal or greater tax cut on food and we will
be more apt to see the sincereity of the "tax to control usage issue".
Until then, a tax is a tax and will be levied upon the poor who cannot
afford to pay.
If you know of a site promoting conservatism, especially in West Virginia,
then send an e-mail to the webmaster,
and we will try to add it to our Links' Page.
If possible, we do appreciate an exchange link.
